AOL and Nokia plan mini-Netscape

America Online (AOL) is working with European mobile phone giant Nokia, to develop a Netscape-based browser for Wap devices.

The development will represent the first extension of AOL's Netscape brand to the micro-browser market, and AOL executives said the agreement is the latest step in the ISP's multi-pronged push into the mobile market.

Dennis Patrick, president of AOL Wireless, said: "Wap is the most widely adopted wireless standard in the world among carriers and handset manufacturers. It makes sense for us to work to support that standard."

AOL's other wireless forays have been limited to the US market. They include deals to feature its services on mobile phones based on the national Sprint network, and for Research in Motion's BlackBerry two-way pager.

In a separate development, NTT DoCoMo yesterday confirmed it would launch an European version of its popular iMode wireless web service later this year with KPN of the Netherlands and Italy's Telecom Italia Mobile.

The service will initially be available to subscribers in Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, with plans for launch in Austria, France, Greece, Spain and Turkey at a later date.